Watching sports is a social activity that’s much more fun when done in the right setting. That’s the reason sports bars are so prevalent in North America and the rest of the world. More recently, there is a trend to replicate this atmosphere in a private setting, with practically-minded fans building entire bars in their basements or backyards. This smart life hack is taking hold in various places ranging from Canada down to Virginia, with only beverage preferences and team allegiance changing slightly.
Let’s try to deduce which factors have led to this and whether it’s a good thing.
Interest for sports is at an all-time high
Between the four North American major leagues, international competitions like the World Cup and the Olympics, and a variety of niche events, the average fan has a ton of sports to follow. High level of interest for sports is recorded across all generations and demographic groups, to the point we could say that sports fandom is one of the rare things that still bring everyone together. Thanks to social media and messaging apps, i’s also easier than ever to connect with likeminded fans and become a part of a crew that enjoys watching games together. Even fans of obscure sports and little-known teams can now form their own communities and mobilize to do stuff as a group.
Drinking out every week gets expensive fast
Traditional gathering in a local sports bar to watch the ballgame and talk smack with friends over a couple of beers used to be affordable entertainment. That was a consolation prize for not attending the game in person and counted as the next best thing. However, many patrons are increasingly priced out of this ritual or at least forced to practice it less often. Even modest bars located far away from the arenas are now charging prices that can drain the wallet of a blue-collar guy fast. High taxes on booze are largely to blame: Virginia has one of the highest tax rates on alcohol in the US (around $6 USD per liter), while Canada collects even more through a combination of duties that can account for as much as 80% of the retail price.
You can party at your home like nowhere else
For many fans, creating a mini sports bar at home is not about saving money. They simply want to get everything to look and feel exactly as they envisioned it. Logo of their favorite team plastered across the wall? Done. Furniture in team colors? Check. Fridge stuffed with the types of drinks they struggle to find at a local bar. Hell, yeah! Being your own bartender also appeals to some folks, guys who enjoy serving drinks to their buddies while they all share the same obsession and possible the same wager on a Canada iGaming casino site. In this scenario, the host is calling the shots, both figuratively and literally.
Safer environment to cheer freely
All kind of trouble can happen when you are hanging out in a sports bar, from conflicts with the opposing team’s fans to run-ins with bar security or the police. None of that happens when a group of friends is watching a game at private property and everyone present is connected to each other. Staying in also eliminates the issue of drinking and driving, since every home bar has a couch where someone can doze off if they had a couple too many. To put it simply, a gameday bar in a friend’s home has all the advantages of a real sports café, but none of the downsides.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. AFP editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
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